The multi-million refurbishment of a historic castle is ahead of schedule.

The first phase of the plan to transform Taymouth Castle into a luxury hotel and resort has been completed two months early, its developers said.

It is hoped the project will create hundreds of jobs in Perthshire when the resort opens in spring 2008.

Major work has taken place to ensure the building is wind and watertight and internal refurbishment is expected to start in two months.

The castle was bought a year ago by developers Taymouth Group Ltd.

New wing

Taymouth director John French said: "When we took over Taymouth estate, our priority was to make the castle wind and waterproof so that it was safe from the elements that have taken their toll over the years.

"In addition, the area within the courtyard at the back of the castle, which had suffered serious deterioration and decay, has now been cleared ready for the building of a new north wing later in the year."

Work over the last several months has included the painstaking repair or restoration of the castle's 300 windows and major roof repairs.

It is claimed that, once completed, the castle and its 450-acre estate will become one of Scotland's most exclusive resorts.